Sunday, 9 June 2013

Chocolate and Lime cake with candied lime peel

I recently purchased Levi Roots Sweet Baking book and was amazed of the wide variety of Caribbean inspired cakes, puddings, desserts and biscuits, many which are new to my me. The first recipe that appealed to me is a lovely moist looking chocolate and lime cake with candied lime peel. I love trying new recipes and flavour combinations and I have made coconut and lime cake, and chocolate and lemon cake, but never have I thought of combining chocolate and lime together. I wondered how it would turn out as lime can be quite sharp and as I have never made candied peel before and wondered whether it would turn out ok. Well, I had nothing to worry about as the recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, and more importantly it tasted delicious. I had to tear myself away from eating the whole cake!
Here is how my chocolate and lime cake turned out:

Chocolate and Lime cake.

Chocolate and Lime cake.

Chocolate and Lime cake

Slice of chocolate and lime cake.

I first started by mixing butter with soft dark brown sugar until it reached a loose consistency.

Butter and brown sugar mixed

I then added the eggs one at a time and folded in the flour and coco.

Eggs, coco and flour added.

Once everything was combined, I placed the mixture in a loose bottom cake tin.

Mixture

Pre bake

Meanwhile the cake was baking I made the candied lime peel by placing sugar and water in a small pan, adding the lime rind, letting it cook for 10 minutes then transferring to a non-stick baking paper.

Candied lime

Candied Lime.

I also made the buttercream whilst the lime peel was setting, which is included in the recipe.

1) Preheat the oven to 200C/gas mark 6. Beat the butte and sugar together, using an electric mixer or hand, until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating between each addition. Fold in the flour and coco powder. Spoon into a greased and based-lined 20cm (8 inch) diameter, deep round cake tin and bake for 35-40 minute or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake come out clean. Turn out the cake onto a wire rack and leave to cool.
2) Meanwhile, make the candied lime rind. Place the sugar and water into a small saucepan get over s low heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the lime rind and cook over for 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally and reducing the heat as the syrup thickens, until the sugar syrup has reduced and the lime rind is soft. Using a fork, transfer the rind to a baking sheet lined with nonstick baking paper and leave to cool and harden.
3) To make the buttercream, beat the butter and icing sugar together, with an electric mixer or by hand, until pale and light, but don't beat it for long that it gets too fluffy. Add the lime rind and juice and beat again. Chill in the refrigerator until the buttercream is firm and spreadable.
4) Spread the buttercream over the top of the cake using a palette knife. Decorate with candied lime rind and dark chocolate.